Claims
- 1. A method for preparing a fuel tank for repairs and verifying the repair work using an apparatus, said apparatus comprising a supply system, a relief system, and plurality of connectors, wherein each of said supply system and relief system is coupled to said fuel tank, said method comprising:connecting the apparatus to the fuel tank, wherein the supply system is connected to a first portion of the tank, and the relief system is connected to a second portion of the tank; purging the fuel tank of oxygen to a certain level using a certain gas by providing the certain gas through the supply system and releasing the oxygen through the relief system until a level of the oxygen in the fuel tank reaches the certain level; closing, to an environment of the fuel tank, openings on the fuel tank; repairing the fuel tank while maintaining the certain level of oxygen in the fuel tank, the repairing being associated with a repaired area of the fuel tank; providing the certain gas through the supply system to the fuel tank to pressurize the fuel tank with the certain gas to a certain pressure level; maintaining the certain pressure level for a specified period of time; and performing an inspection of the repaired area of the fuel tank.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 further comprisesrepairing any remaining repairs found following the inspection of a repaired area; re-pressurizing the fuel tank by supplying the certain gas through the supply system to the fuel tank; re-testing the repaired area; and repeating the repairing of any of the remaining repairs, re-pressurizing the fuel tank, and retesting the repaired area until the retesting indicates that the remaining repairs are complete.
- 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said certain level of oxygen is below about 6 percent.
- 4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said certain level of oxygen is measured by at least one gas inspector.
- 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said certain pressure level is between 1.8 and 2.0 psi.
- 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said specified period of time is at least 10 minutes.
- 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein said inspection includes at least one of an audible inspection or visual inspection of the repair work.
- 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said certain level of oxygen is below about 6 percent, said certain level of oxygen is measured by at least one gas inspector, said certain pressure level is between 1.8 and 2.0 psi, said specified period of time is at least 10 minutes, and said inspection includes at least one of an audible inspection and a visual inspection of the repair work.
- 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said certain level of oxygen is below about 6 percent.
- 10. The method according to claim 1 wherein said certain level of oxygen is measured by at least one gas inspector.
- 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said certain pressure level is between 1.8 and 2.0 psi.
- 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said specified period of time is at least 10 minutes.
- 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said inspection includes at least one of an audible inspection and a visual inspection of the repair work.
- 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said certain level of oxygen is below about 6 percent, said certain level of oxygen is measured by at least one gas inspector, said certain pressure level is between 1.8 and 2.0 psi, said specified period of time is at least 10 minutes, and said inspection includes at least one of an audible inspection and a visual inspection of the repair work.
Parent Case Info
This application claims the benefit of priority from provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/161,372, filed in the. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 26, 1999, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/161372 |
Oct 1999 |
US |